KOST-FM, K-Earth ready to ring in Christmas season

Mark Wallengren and Kristin Cruz, morning co-hosts on KOST/103.5 FM, help ring in the Christmas season Nov. 15 with the station's annual private party at Disneyland - this year, at California Adventure.COURTESY KOST-FM

It's that time of year when radio stations get ready to ring in the Christmas season with holiday programming. Soft rock KOST/103.5 FM starts it off with what it calls its 11th year of being LA and Orange County's "Official Holiday Music Station."

It begins the evening of Nov. 15 (Thursday), the same night it hosts from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. its private party for listeners and clients at Disneyland's California Adventure.

Morning drive personalities Mark Wallengren and Kristin Cruz have been previewing the event and will be there. Invited listeners may also have a chance to chat with Kari Steele, Bruce Scott, Ted Ziegenbusch and Christine Martindale. More information: www.kost1035.com.

Classic Hits K-Earth 101 FM will present Wink Martindale's "Top 100 Christmas Hits of All Time" on Christmas Day. Program director Jhani Kaye said, "Having (this special) is a real coup for K-Earth this holiday season. We're so excited to be one of the many affiliates that will broadcast a program that's really special for this remarkable time of the year. We love it." More information: kearth101.cbslocal.com.

It will be good to hear Martindale again on local radio. The game show host and author is involved in many media projects, but always enjoyed a stellar career in local radio, including KHJ, KRLA, KFWB, KGIL and the still-missed KMPC/710 AM, where he produced dozens of audio-biographies on singers, musicians and composers. More information: kearth101.cbslocal.com.

And what about KTWV/94.7 FM which last year tried to get the jump on KOST with its non-stop holiday music? So far, Kaye – who programs The Wave besides K-Earth – isn't talking. Which, of course, means stay tuned. ...

Nancy Patterson, Orange, e-mailed regarding the weekend changes at Long Beach public jazz and blues station KKJZ/88.1 FM. Specifically, she cites dropping 'Nothin' but the Blues" on Sunday. Here are some of her comments, followed by a response from Station Manager Stephanie Levine. Both have been edited for space.

Nancy Patterson: KKJZ can't expect to have blues listener support when they don't support the blues. Gary Wagner's show isn't very good. He somehow manages to fill 10 hours a week with songs all in the same groove. It is really amazing that he can be that boring. I never understood why they got talent from far and wide when they have so much talent right here. Kim Wilson, Kid Ramos and Al Blake all live in Orange County, and those are just the three people I happen to know about. I think "Nothin' But the Blues" has been on every weekend since before I moved to California in 1988, so I am really disappointed.

Stephanie Levine: The challenge has been and remains how to ensure K-Jazz's survival. The station has operated at a deficit for years, before Gary Wagner rejoined the station as the host of "Nothin' But the Blues" and after. To suggest that this is due to one host would not only be unfair but inaccurate. We have been fortunate to have terrific hosts of the show who have taken varied approaches to the music; Gary is no different. He spends a lot of time each week preparing his show to make sure it is a great representation of blues, including scouring through new music releases and music by local artists.

"With regard to live blues events, it has become increasingly more difficult and expensive to produce these events. The production costs have continued to rise, while support for the events has dropped. This is a problem that producers of blues events around the country have faced and the reason that some longtime blues festivals are no longer produced or have changed their direction to be less blues-oriented. That being said, we are continuing to look for creative ways to put on live blues events in the future.

"The larger issue that faces the station is how to survive in today's world, as fewer and fewer people listen to, let alone support, jazz and blues music. K-Jazz is one of five full-time, straight-ahead jazz stations in the country; we are the only station to program 24 hours every day of music. We made the decision to program more jazz on Saturdays as part of our ongoing effort to be responsive to listeners and donors. When we received a lot of feedback about returning blues programming on Saturdays, we immediately adjusted the schedule to include 2 hours. As we move into our Fall Pledge Drive for K-Jazz, we hope that everyone who appreciates being able to turn on their radio to listen to K-Jazz will take the time to support the station for what it continues to provide for our community. More information: www.jazzandblues.org.

Mark Wallengren and Kristin Cruz, morning co-hosts on KOST/103.5 FM, help ring in the Christmas season Nov. 15 with the station's annual private party at Disneyland - this year, at California Adventure. COURTESY KOST-FM
Wink Martindale hosts "The Top 100 Christmas Hits of All Time" Christmas Day on K-Earth 101 FM. COURTESY WINK MARTINDALE
Basketball veteran Stan Van Gundy joins NBC Sports Radio as a NBA senior analyst, the network announced. Van Gundy was the head coach for the Orlando Magic from 2007 to 2012. COURTESY NBC SPORTS

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.